The picture on the social microblogging site shows the two men relaxing with friends, including Ross's red-haired wife Jane Goldman and the comedian David Walliams in a picture posted on Ross's Twitter web page.

Ofcom imposed a record £150,000 fine on the BBC after Ross and Brand left rude messages on the answerphone of the actor Andrew Sachs.

The watchdog condemned the "gratuitously offensive, humiliating and demeaning" messages' on the answerphone about Mr Sachs's granddaughter Georgina Baillie.

Several MPs including Hazel Blears, communities secretary, Tessa Jowell, the former culture secretary and Jack Straw, the Justice minister have called for the duo to pay at least some of the money.

The BBC has said the money for the fine will come out of its general budget.

A spokesman said: "Jonathan Ross has already paid a significant financial penalty through being suspended without pay for three months.

"Ofcom's ruling is against the whole BBC, not one individual."

An Ofcom spokesman said: "Parliament decided for very serious breaches of our broadcasting rules the BBC would be subject to a maximum fine of £250,000.

"These powers only allow for fines to be levied against the BBC and not individuals. 'To do so would require a change in the law."